Richard Grenard was 62
Richard Grenard, whose produce career included more than 30 years at the retail chain Waldbaum Inc., died Tuesday, Jan. 13. He was 62 years old and a resident of Deer Park, NY.
Mr. Grenard spent more than 30 years, from around 1968-69 to the early 1990s, at Waldbaum, according to Tommy Krulder, who worked with Mr. Grenard at that supermarket chain. "He was a good friend, a loyal worker and a great family man," Mr. Krulder, now director of store services at Kurt Weiss Greenhouses on Long Island, NY, told The Produce News Friday, Jan. 16.
Indiana grocer Don Scott dies at 91
Donald G. Scott, founder of Scotts Food Stores in Fort Wayne, IN, died Dec. 27 at the age of 91 at his home in Jacksonville, FL. Mr. Scott started his grocery career with Marsh Supermarkets after serving in World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps. In 1954, he started his own grocery business with the opening of Scotts Foodlane in Ft. Wayne. Over the following few years, Mr. Scott opened other neighborhood markets in Ft. Wayne.
Florida orange estimate cut
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released its January orange crop forecast for the 2008-09 season, reducing its earlier estimate by 3 million boxes, to 162 million boxes.
"This is a manageable crop, and hopefully the reduced production will spur higher prices to growers because right now they are facing very high input costs associated with disease pressure and fertilizer prices," Michael W. Sparks, executive vice president and chief executive officer of Florida Citrus Mutual, said in a press release. "We are in the middle of a very challenging season."
Cal Poly study provides Duda with direction on new packaging
A consumer research project conducted by agribusiness marketing students at Cal Poly for Duda Farm Fresh Foods has resulted in new packaging and product promotion for the company's clementines, the easy-to-peel, fresh citrus that is especially popular with children.
Steve Forbes to keynote United Fresh 2009
The United Fresh Produce Association has opened registration for its United Fresh 2009 show, which will be held April 21-24 in Las Vegas, NV.
One of the event highlights will be the keynote address delivered by Steve Forbes, president, chief executive officer and editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine. People interested in attending the show and Mr. Forbes' How Capitalism Will Save Us keynote address may register on-line at unitedfresh.org or contact United Fresh at 202/303-3400.
Muranaka Farm looks to increase its profile
Among its longtime customers, Moorpark, CA-based Muranaka Farm Inc. has a reputation as a "good, quiet company," according to John Killeen, vice president of sales and marketing for Muranaka.
"We've done what we said we were going to do," said Mr. Killeen, who joined the company in June.
But Mr. Killeen concededthat he has reached out to folks who didn't know that the grower-shipper is one of the larger shippers of bunched green onions in the United States.
Carl Adams Jr. was 91
Carl Adams Jr. of Adams Produce Co. in Birmingham, AL, died Jan. 10 at the age of 91.
Born April 11, 1917 in Birmingham, Mr. Adams was married to his beloved wife, Betty Bryding DeVore, for 61 years. He earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alabama in 1938 and went on to serve during World War II in the European theater, where he earned the Bronze Star.
Culinary Center of Monterey expansion could raise awareness of agriculture in the region
MONTEREY, CA -- The Culinary Center of Monterey, here on Cannery Row, has plans for expansion that would open itself even more to the fresh produce industry.
A&W expects 30 percent increase in Nogales program
Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce in San Diego, which grows tomatoes and other products in Baja California, Mexico, during spring, summer and fall and in the Culiacan area of the state of Sinaloa, Mexico, from December through April, will have an overall growth in volume of around 30 percent from Culiacan this year. The Culiacan product is shipped through an Andrew & Williamson distribution warehouse in Nogales, AZ.
California Raisin Marketing Board names new president and new marketing director
The California Raisin Marketing Board, based in Fresno, CA, announced the hiring of Gary Schultz as president and Rick O'Fallon as marketing director.
Mr. Schulz brings more than 25 years of agriculture business experience to his position as president of the raisin board. Previously, he was general manager for the non-profit International Agri-Center for more than 15 years and managed the world's largest agriculture trade show, World Ag Expo. More recently, he has consulted on organization management through his own consulting firm.